STAFF at a local branch of Marks and Spencer have spoken of their fear at being confronted by a customer who was shouting at them while brandishing a three-foot stick.

“I’ve worked in the store for the last ten years, but I’ve never experienced a male being that aggressive,” said Aly Barnes in a victim impact statement read out to Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“This was the first time I’ve ever been in genuine fear of a customer.”

The incident took place in the Carmarthen branch of Marks and Spencer on January 24 when Martin Sands, 45, was seen entering the food hall and placing some steaks inside his rucksack.

Store worker Aly Barnes gestured towards him to put the steaks back, to which Sands replied, “It was worth a try.”

“Aly Barnes asked him to leave, but the defendant became aggressive,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He told her he was homeless and lived outside, across the street.”

Sands continued to approach Ms Barnes, forcing her to raise her arm to cover her head.

“She believed this was necessary to protect herself from anything he would do to her,” said Nia James.

“She could feel him spitting saliva in her face while he was shouting at her.”

Hearing the commotion, Ms Barnes’ colleague, Katarzyna Evans, approached Sands and attempted to de-escalate the situation. Sands responded, shouting, “You devil worshipper.”

Hearing the aggressive shouting, a store manager entered the food hall where he saw Sands moving closer to Ms Barnes.

“He put himself between them, because he felt that Martin Sands was far too close to the pair, and believed he was going to punch one of them because he was so aggressive.”

The court was told that earlier that afternoon, Sands had been seen entering the Ladybug store in Carmarthen by an on-duty security guard. He was heard saying to a female member of staff, “I’m going to hit this stick over his head.”

“The security guard knew the threat was directed at him, and the female member of staff was shocked,” said Nia James.

After repeating the threat, Sands was told to leave the store and was seen walking down Lammas Street, waving the stick and shouting.

Following his arrest in Marks and Spencer, Sands was taken to Carmarthen police custody suite, where he became increasingly agitated, throwing food and a cup of coffee over the wall. This had to be removed by a contracted cleaner at a cost to Dyfed-Powys Police of £188.

Appearing before magistrates via a video link from Swansea Prison, Sands pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, or insulting words and behaviour likely to cause harassment; common assault of Aly Barnes; common assault of Katarzyna Evans; and causing criminal damage to a police cell.

Sands was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“He was living rough in Carmarthen and he overreacted to the staff in Marks and Spencer, who believed he was going to steal the steaks,” he said.

“This wasn’t his intention as he had the money to pay. He’s very frustrated at his behaviour, but he realises now that at the time he was too proud to ask for help for his homelessness.”

Sands was sentenced to ten weeks in custody. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to Aly Barnes and Katarzyna Evans, a £154 court surcharge, and £85 costs.